What does a lumpectomy involve?

A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure focused on the removal of a breast cancer tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue surrounding it. This approach aims to excise the cancerous cells while preserving as much of the breast as possible. The procedure is typically recommended for early-stage breast cancer and is known as breast-conserving surgery or partial mastectomy.

Choosing this option aligns with the goal of treating localized breast cancer by ensuring that cancerous tissue is removed while maintaining an aesthetically acceptable breast shape. Lumpectomy may be followed by additional therapies, such as radiation, to reduce the risk of recurrence.

In contrast to removing the entire breast, which is known as a mastectomy, or conducting radiation therapy and biopsies that serve different purposes in the overall management of breast cancer, the lumpectomy specifically addresses the need to excise the malignant tumor while offering a less invasive treatment option.